Can You Feel This Now?

Yessiree, It has been one heck of a week. But still at the end of last week and as this week begins I am not losing hope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Not losing hope!

I’m having more troubles with these migraines. I had two migraines last week that caused what looked like a stroke. I could not feel or move my right side. My hand was all clenched up and shaking. So was my leg. Totally scary situation. I spent four days confined to a hospital bed because I could not walk. I needed some pain relief and a lot of hydration.

Right now, a full week later, I have limited use of the right side of my body. I’m hobbling around on crutches. I am learning how to walk and write again. My rehab plan for my right hand and arm is to draw and type as much as possible. So far, so good. Thank goodness for Twitter to keep me busy! Such love and support from all my peeps!

My hand and foot occasionally start to cramp, lock up or get really weak. But it’s improving every day. Last week I could not feed myself. Now I can make a pot of coffee! Going up and down stairs is still difficult. I’m going to have quite the buff left leg for all the weight it’s supporting! Lying in bed is strange. If I lie on my right side I can’t feel the bed under me, which causes me to feel like I am falling out of bed.

My Mr. Man has been waiting on me dutifully. He brings me food upstairs so I can hang out here in my studio instead of being bored on the couch. So we have the art studio on the second floor and the food downstairs. Hmmmmm.... which floor did every one think I would choose to stay on? (Both floors have full bathrooms.) We have worked out some details of getting food myself once Mr. M goes back to work. He bought me a big, shiny thermos for my coffee so I can lug it upstairs without splashing it all over! Pre-made things like bowls of cut fruit and PB & J sandwiches will be in the fridge when I want them.

All of my family has rallied around me during this difficult time. Mom went to the store and cooked dinner when I got home from the hospital. She is a nurse so she made sure that I received top-notch care at the hospital. She was there as was Mr. M most of the time. Someone was always near by.

As frightening as this has been I am not going to let this beat me. Even though it seems like everything just got 1000% harder I am maintaining my stubborn goal of thriving – not just surviving. Yes, I will admit I have had several United-Nations-Meeting-scale pity parties. Who wouldn’t? So just call me “Peg Leg” for right now!

Take some time to tell your working arms and legs (if you have them) that you love them unconditionally and you would marry them if you could. You won’t miss them until they are gone.